Tuesday, April 27, 2010

What a magical weekend! Our Spring Concerts for the Kansas City Women's Chorus were Saturday and Sunday! I have a couple of videos and pictures I will post on here when I get the chance, but for now, here are a couple of Haikus I composed about the experience.

Standing in the lightMagic soars through vocal chordsIt's where I belong

taking the stage - softfeathers float in space above- light dances with us

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Work today has been rough. I've been having a pretty "Bi-Polar" relationship with my job for the past year (Up and Down Mood Swings). Lately though, despite paycuts and general unhappiness, I had been in the midst of an upward swing. Unfortunately today I was told that the one person that could have kept our company afloat is leaving, and with that news, my good mood left too. Now I've been staring at my work screen and wondering what to do (both in terms of job and the work I'm supposed to be accomplishing). I know I need to leave this dead end job, and I've known this for a long time, but I just hate having the fact reinforced so blatantly.

So since I'm getting ready to start up the job search, I've written a couple of haikus to commemorate the occasion.

Bob (by me)Bob can be happyWith only baseball and beerWhy do I need more?

And because I've been feeling a little lost all day, I thought I'd include "Instructions" by Neil Gaiman in today's post. The poem was recently made into a picture book with illustrations by Charles Vess, and it's definitely worth picking up. The illustrations are beautiful and you can purchase it on Amazon here.

Instructions (by Neil Gaiman)Touch the wooden gate in the wall you neversaw before.Say "please" before you open the latch,go through,walk down the path.A red metal imp hangs from the green-paintedfront door,as a knocker,do not touch it; it will bite your fingers.Walk through the house. Take nothing. Eatnothing.However, if any creature tells you that it hungers,feed it.If it tells you that it is dirty,clean it.If it cries to you that it hurts,if you can,ease its pain.

From the back garden you will be able to see thewild wood.The deep well you walk past leads to Winter'srealm;there is another land at the bottom of it.If you turn around here,you can walk back, safely;you will lose no face. I will think no less of you.

Once through the garden you will be in thewood.The trees are old. Eyes peer from the under-growth.Beneath a twisted oak sits an old woman. Shemay ask for something;give it to her. Shewill point the way to the castle.Inside it are three princesses.Do not trust the youngest. Walk on.In the clearing beyond the castle the twelvemonths sit about a fire,warming their feet, exchanging tales.They may do favors for you, if you are polite.You may pick strawberries in December's frost.Trust the wolves, but do not tell them whereyou are going.The river can be crossed by the ferry. The ferry-man will take you.(The answer to his question is this:If he hands the oar to his passenger, he will be free toleave the boat.Only tell him this from a safe distance.)

If an eagle gives you a feather, keep it safe.Remember: that giants sleep too soundly; thatwitches are often betrayed by their appetites;dragons have one soft spot, somewhere, always;hearts can be well-hidden,and you betray them with your tongue.

Do not be jealous of your sister.Know that diamonds and rosesare as uncomfortable when they tumble fromone's lips as toads and frogs:colder, too, and sharper, and they cut.

Remember your name.Do not lose hope - what you seek will be found.Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helpedto help you in their turn.Trust dreams.Trust your heart, and trust your story.When you come back, return the way you came.Favors will be returned, debts will be repaid.Do not forget your manners.Do not look back.Ride the wise eagle (you shall not fall).Ride the silver fish (you will not drown).Ride the grey wolf (hold tightly to his fur).

There is a worm at the heart of the tower; that iswhy it will not stand.

When you reach the little house, the place yourjourney started,you will recognize it, although it will seemmuch smaller than you remember.Walk up the path, and through the garden gateyou never saw before but once.And then go home. Or make a home.And rest.

I have always loved the line about "Ride the wise eagle (you shall not fall). Ride the silver fish (you will not drown). Ride the grey wolf (hold tightly to his fur)." How wonderful it would be to have my own guidebook and a reassuring voice in life right about now.

Anyone else in need of some guidance lately, and have you had any luck finding it?

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Another Tuesday is happening as we speak, and that means more Haikus for your viewing pleasure. I’m also linking over to one of Jeanne’s recent posts on her blog Necromancy Never Pays. She has a really excellent poem posted there, and it is just plain awesome.

So without further ado, Haikuesday awaits:

Chorus Rehearsal (by me)

We sang – danced - chattedHugged and laughed and made mistakesLast night at practice

Learning Choral-ographyRight arm first, then RockBounce right, and try to avoida hit in the face

And please if you are local, check out the Kansas City Women’s Chorus and come see us sing next weekend (April 24/25). It’s gonna be an awesome show!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Another Haikuesday is here and I am totally unprepared, but because I’d hate to disappoint my faithful blog readers (I know there are at least a few of you), here are a few hastily compiled poems for today.

GB (by me)*When they play Garth BrooksDuring the fourth pitching changeYou have likely lost

Blood on the Ground (by me)**His nose has been punchedHe yells, “There is the fucker”Blood drips on pavement

*They play Garth Brooks singing Low Places sometime during the game, but when usually depends on how bad we are doing.

**This is not a metaphor on how the Tigers punched the Royals in the face yesterday. We actually saw a guy chasing after another who had punched him in the face, and watching his blood trail kept me distracted for the last several innings. Sigh. L

Monday, April 5, 2010

(Mind you this only applies if you are a Kansas City Royals fan...or a fan of one of the other teams playing today). :-)

I'm heading to my first Opening Day this afternoon. Although we've had tickets before, we've always ended up selling them and making some quick cash. But this season, mainly because we were too lazy to sell our tickets, we are attending and I can't wait!

We'll be tailgaiting beforehand, then cheering on my favorite players to a wonderful victory. At least I'm hoping for a wonderful victory (Royals fans can't get too cocky).